U.S. patent application number 14/317338 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-31 for knife with retractable arm.
The applicant listed for this patent is Becky Parr. Invention is credited to Becky Parr.
Application Number | 20150375411 14/317338 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54929546 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150375411 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parr; Becky |
December 31, 2015 |
KNIFE WITH RETRACTABLE ARM
Abstract
A cutting device for cutting a food into predetermined portions
includes a blade member. The blade member has a cutting edge and a
pair of opposing lateral edges. The cutting device further includes
an alignment arm slidably received by the blade member, and
adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position.
The alignment arm assists in a cutting of equally sized portions of
the food.
Inventors: |
Parr; Becky; (Ann Arbor,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Parr; Becky |
Ann Arbor |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54929546 |
Appl. No.: |
14/317338 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
83/34 ; 30/293;
83/13; 83/614 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B26B 29/063 20130101;
B26D 3/24 20130101; B26B 3/04 20130101; B26B 29/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B26B 29/06 20060101
B26B029/06; B26D 3/24 20060101 B26D003/24 |
Claims
1. A cutting device for cutting a food into predetermined portions,
comprising: a blade member having a cutting edge and a pair of
opposing lateral edges; and an alignment arm slidably received by
the blade member and configured to move between a retracted
position and an extended position to assist in a cutting of equally
sized portions of the food.
2. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the alignment
arm is slidable outwardly from at least one of the lateral edges to
the extended position.
3. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the alignment
arm is extendable from the blade member in a direction
substantially parallel to the cutting edge.
4. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the blade
member has an elongate cavity formed therein.
5. The cutting device according to claim 4, wherein the alignment
arm is at least partially disposed in the cavity.
6. The cutting device according to claim 5, wherein the alignment
arm includes a first flange disposed at one end thereof and
disposed exterior to the blade member.
7. The cutting device according to claim 6, wherein the alignment
arm includes a second flange disposed at an other end thereof, the
second flange slidably retained in the cavity of the blade member
and configured to militate against decoupling of the alignment arm
from the blade member.
8. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting
edge and the pair of lateral edges together conform in shape to an
interior surface of the container.
9. The cutting device according to claim 1, further comprising a
handle disposed at an end of the blade member opposite the cutting
edge.
10. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one
of the lateral edges has a cutting edge.
11. A bakeware system for preparing food comprising: a container
for receiving ingredients and for separating a resulting food into
predetermined portions, the container having indicia formed on a
surface thereof, each of the indicium having a cooperating
indicium; and a cutting device removably received by the container,
the cutting device having a blade member with a cutting edge and a
pair of opposing lateral edges, and an alignment arm slidably
received by the blade member and configured to move between a
retracted position and an extended position to assist in a cutting
of equally sized portions of the food, the alignment arm in the
extended position extending outwardly from the blade member for
aligning the cutting device with at least one of the indicium.
12. The bakeware according to claim 11, wherein the indicia are
formed at selected intervals.
13. The bakeware according to claim 11, wherein the container
includes a bottom and a sidewall extending outwardly therefrom and
terminating at an upper rim.
14. The bakeware according to claim 11, wherein the cutting device
cooperates with the container to separate the resulting food into
predetermined portions.
15. The bakeware according to claim 11, wherein the blade member
has an elongate cavity formed therein.
16. The bakeware according to claim 15, wherein the alignment arm
is at least partially disposed in the cavity.
17. The bakeware according to claim 11, wherein the alignment arm
includes a flange disposed at one end thereof configured to
facilitate adjustment of the alignment arm.
18. A method for cutting food into predetermined portions, the
method comprising the steps of: providing a container for receiving
ingredients and for separating a resulting food into predetermined
portions, the container having indicia formed on a surface thereof,
each of the indicium having a cooperating indicium on an opposing
side of the container; providing a cutting device having a blade
member with a cutting edge and a pair of opposing lateral edges,
and an alignment arm slidably received by the blade member and
configured to move between a retracted position and an extended
position to assist in a cutting of equally sized portions of the
food; aligning a first one of the lateral edges with a selected one
of the indicium; moving the alignment arm to the extended position;
aligning the alignment arm in the extended position with the
cooperating indicium of the selected one of the indicium; and
forcing the cutting edge downwardly through the food while
maintaining the first one of the lateral edges in alignment with
the selected one of the indicium and the alignment arm in alignment
with the cooperating indicium of the selected one of the indicium
to form a first cut through the food.
19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the steps
of: aligning the first one of the lateral edges with the first cut;
moving the alignment arm to the retracted position; aligning one of
the alignment arm and a second one of the lateral edges with the
cooperating indicium of the selected one of the indicium; and
forcing the cutting edge downwardly through the food while
maintaining the first one of the lateral edges in alignment with
the first cut and the one of the alignment arm and the second one
of the lateral edges in alignment with the cooperating indicium of
the selected one of the indicium to form a second cut through the
food.
20. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the steps
of: aligning the first one of the lateral edges with the
cooperating indicium of the selected one of the indicium;
maintaining the alignment arm in the extended position; aligning
the alignment arm with the selected one of the indicium; and
forcing the cutting edge downwardly through the food while
maintaining the first one of the lateral edges in alignment with
the cooperating indicium of the selected one of the indicium and
the alignment arm in alignment with the selected one of the
indicium to form a second cut through the food.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cutting device and, more
specifically, to a cutting device with a retractable arm for use
with a container for receiving ingredients to be cut into
predetermined portions.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many types of foods are prepared and placed into a pan or
container and then cut into predetermined portions. A chef or baker
typically employs a pan to cook or provide a desired shape to the
food being prepared. The prepared food is contained within the pan,
and is typically cut into portions prior to serving or storing.
[0003] Usually, the prepared food contained within the pan is
divided into a number of equally sized portions. Equal sized
portions facilitate the aesthetic presentation of the food.
Additionally, in commercial baking or restaurant operations,
consistency in portion size is an essential aspect of meeting
customer expectations, controlling the cost of the food sold, and
determining the quantity of food that must be prepared.
[0004] One method of dividing the food into consistently sized
portions is by using a ruler and a knife. The ruler is used to
measure the desired portion sizes and mark the upper surface of the
food. The ruler is then aligned with the marks and employed as a
straight edge to guide the knife as the food is cut. Although this
method can be effective, it is a time consuming, multi-step
process. This method is also subject to measurement errors, and
requires a steady hand to evenly cut along the straight edge of the
ruler.
[0005] Known devices such as those illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.
892,552 to Rexer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,786 to Hjelden, and U.S. Pat.
No. 6,745,660 to Caputo, have included a guide for a knife or a
plurality of cutting blades, in order to cut food into equal sized
portions. However, these devices typically require a skilled and
steady hand to cut the equally sized portions, or are a multi-piece
device that must be assembled and attached to an associated baking
pan.
[0006] To overcome some of these disadvantages, a container and
cutting blade as illustrated and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
8,146,469 to Parr, hereby incorporated by reference herein, is
known. Indicia are formed on the container at selected intervals
adjacent an outer peripheral edge. The cutting blade is adapted to
extend from indicia on one side of the container to indicia on the
other side of the container. The indicia provide a guide to readily
align the cutting blade for cutting the food into selected sized
portions.
[0007] It is sometimes necessary to cut food into equally sized
portions when using a container having dimensions longer than the
length of the blade, for example, when using a rectangular pan.
Where the blade is sized to extend from indicia on opposing sides
of a width of a rectangular pan, the blade is naturally unable to
extend the length of the rectangular pan. In such cases, multiple
cuts have had to be made with the blade, without the benefit of
aligning the ends of the blade with indicia, which is
undesirable.
[0008] There is a continuing need for a cutting device for
efficiently cutting food within a container into predetermined
sized portions. Desirable, the cutting device may be aligned with
indicia formed on the container, to thereby facilitate the cutting
of equally sized portions of food.
SUMMARY
[0009] In concordance with the instant disclosure, a cutting device
for efficiently cutting food within a container into predetermined
sized portions, and which may be aligned with indicia formed on the
container, to thereby facilitate the cutting of equally sized
portions of food, has been surprisingly discovered.
[0010] In one embodiment, a cutting device for cutting a food into
predetermined portions is disclosed. The cutting device includes a
blade member having a cutting edge and a pair of opposing lateral
edges. An alignment arm is slidably received by the blade member
and configured to move between a retracted position and an extended
position to assist in a cutting of equally sized portions of the
food.
[0011] In another embodiment, a bakeware system for preparing food
includes a container for receiving ingredients and for separating a
resulting food into predetermined portions. The container has
indicia formed on a surface thereof. Each of the indicium has a
cooperating indicium. The bakeware system further includes a
cutting device removably received by the container. The cutting
device has a blade member with a cutting edge and a pair of
opposing lateral edges. An alignment arm is slidably received by
the blade member and configured to move between a retracted
position and an extended position to assist in a cutting of equally
sized portions of the food. The alignment arm in the extended
position extends outwardly from the blade member for aligning the
cutting device with at least one of the indicium.
[0012] In a further embodiment, a method for cutting food into
predetermined portions is disclosed. The method includes the step
of providing a container for receiving ingredients and for
separating a resulting food into predetermined portions. The
container has indicia formed on a surface thereof. Each of the
indicium has a cooperating indicium on an opposing side of the
container. The method additionally includes the step of providing a
cutting device having a blade member with a cutting edge and a pair
of opposing lateral edges. An alignment arm is slidably received by
the blade member and configured to move between a retracted
position and an extended position to assist in a cutting of equally
sized portions of the food. The method further includes the steps
of aligning a first one of the lateral edges with a selected one of
the indicium, moving the alignment arm to the extended position,
aligning the alignment arm in the extended position with the
cooperating indicium of the selected one of the indicium, and
forcing the cutting edge downwardly through the food while
maintaining the first one of the lateral edges in alignment with
the selected one of the indicium and the alignment arm in alignment
with the cooperating indicium of the selected one of the indicium
to form a first cut through the food.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The above, as well as other objects and advantages of the
disclosure, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the
art from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the
invention when considered in the light of the accompanying figures,
in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is front elevational view of a cutting device
according to an embodiment of the disclosure, with an alignment arm
shown in a retracted position;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the cutting device
depicted in FIG. 1, with the alignment arm shown in an extended
position;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view of the cutting device
of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cutting device,
taken along section line 4-4 in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cutting device,
taken along section line 5-5 in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a cutting device
removably received within a container containing a food and
cooperating with the container to form a lengthwise first cut
according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cutting device
removably received within a container containing a food and
cooperating with the container to form a lengthwise second cut
according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a cutting device
removably received within a container containing a food and
cooperating with the container to form a widthwise cut according to
an embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and
is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application,
methods, or uses. It should also be understood that throughout the
drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or
corresponding parts and features. In respect of the methods
disclosed, the steps presented are exemplary in nature, and the
order of the steps is not regarded as necessary or critical unless
otherwise disclosed.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, there is illustrated a cutting
device 10 adapted to cooperate with a container to facilitate
cutting of food contained therein into predetermined portions. The
cutting device 10 can be adapted to cooperate with any container
configured to hold food such as a plate, tray, pan, dish, etc. The
cutting device 10 is provided with a blade member 11. The blade
member 11 includes a cutting edge 14 at one end thereof, a first
lateral edge 16 and a second lateral edge 18. The first lateral
edge 16 is spaced apart from the second lateral edge 18. A handle
12 is disposed at an opposing end of the blade member 11 from the
cutting edge 14. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the
lateral edges 16, 18 can also be configured as cutting edges, for
example, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0024] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2, an aperture 13 is
formed in the blade member 11 adjacent the handle 12. The aperture
13 facilitates a gripping of the cutting device 10, in operation.
Additionally, the lateral edges 16, 18 are configured to confirm in
shape to a shape of an interior of the container with which the
cutting device 10 is used. For example, the lateral edges 16, 18
may taper inwardly towards each other toward the cutting edge 14
and cooperate with the cutting edge 14. Other suitable shapes for
the lateral edges 16, 18 may also be employed within the scope of
the present disclosure.
[0025] The handle 12 can also have any suitable shape allowing the
cutting device 10 to be gripped, as desired. For example, the
handle 12 may be integrally formed with the blade member 11, or
separately formed from the blade member 11 and attached thereto.
The handle 12 can also have generally finger-shaped recesses on a
bottom thereof, adjacent the aperture 13, which facilitate the
gripping of the handle 12.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the cutting device 10 of the present
disclosure further includes an alignment arm 20. The alignment arm
20 is adjustably and slidably received by the blade member 11. The
alignment arm 29 is configured to move between a retracted
position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and an extended position, as
illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0027] In certain embodiments, the alignment arm 20 is received
through an opening 22 formed in the second lateral edge 18 of the
blade member 11. As shown in FIG. 5, the opening 22 is continuous
with an elongate cavity 24 formed in the blade member 11. The
cavity 24 extends towards the opposing lateral edge 16 of the blade
member 11. The cavity 24 is oriented substantially parallel to the
cutting edge 14, and has a length configured to receive and store
an entirety of the alignment arm 20.
[0028] In certain embodiments, the alignment arm 20 can include
adjustment features that facilitate a manual movement the alignment
arm 20 between the retracted and extended positions. For example,
the alignment arm 20 can include a first flange 26 disposed at one
end of the alignment arm 20, and a second flange 28 disposed at an
opposing end of the alignment arm 20. The first flange 26 is
disposed exterior to the blade member 11, and the second flange 28
is received in the cavity 24 formed in the blade member 11. Each of
the flanges 26, 28 may have a cross-sectional area that is greater
than a cross-sectional area of the opening 22. The first flange 26
provides a finger hold, which facilitates a movement of the
alignment arm 20 from the retracted position to the extended
position. The second flange 28 militates against the alignment arm
20 decoupling from the blade member 11, when the alignment arm 20
is adjusted to the extended position.
[0029] In other various embodiments, not shown, the alignment arm
20 can include other adjustment features, as desired. For example,
the alignment arm 20 can be slidably coupled to a rail disposed in
the cavity 24. Alternatively, the rail may be disposed exterior to
the blade member 11. In one example, the alignment arm 20 can
include a spring loaded mechanism coupled thereto, which allows the
alignment arm 20 to retract within, and extend from, the blade
member 11.
[0030] In other examples, a tab or other gripping device can extend
from the alignment arm 20 and through a slot formed in the blade
member 11 and continuous with the cavity 24. In such cases, the tab
facilitates the movement of the alignment arm 20 from the retracted
position to the extended position, and vice-versa.
[0031] Furthermore, in other examples, the alignment arm 20 can
include a threaded portion engaging with a threaded portion
defining the opening 22 or the cavity 24. It should be appreciated
that the threaded engagement of the alignment arm 20 with the
opening 22 or the cavity 24 facilitates both the movement of the
alignment arm 20 and militates against the decoupling of the
alignment arm 20 from the blade member 11.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, the cutting device 10 engages
with a container or a pan, generally indicated by reference numeral
30, for use in preparing food. The container 30 has a bottom 32 and
a peripheral sidewall 34. The sidewall 34 is integral with the
bottom 32 and extends upwardly therefrom terminating at an upper
rim 36. A plurality of indicia 38 are formed in, or marked on, the
upper rim 36. The indicia 38 are formed at selected intervals, and
each indicium has a cooperating indicium. The indicia 38 can be
color coded, numerically labeled, or otherwise marked to facilitate
identifying the cooperating indicia.
[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom 32 of the
container 30 is rectangular. It should be understood that the
container 30 can be formed in other shapes such as square or
circular, for example. Additionally, it should be understood that,
rather than a pan, the container 30 can be a plate or tray having
the indicia 38 formed adjacent a peripheral edge thereof. In a
further embodiment, the indicia 38 can be formed in the sidewall 34
and bottom 32, and extend from the upper rim 36 at a one side of
the container 30 to the upper rim 36 of the opposing side of the
container 30, as desired.
[0034] In certain embodiments, such as illustrated in FIG. 8, the
length of the cutting edge 14 of the cutting device 10 can be
substantially equivalent to the distance between at least one set
of the opposing sides of the sidewall 34 of the container 30. The
cutting edge 14 is adapted to be removably received between
opposing sides of the sidewall 34. Indicia can also be formed on
the cutting device 10 adjacent the cutting edge 14 and/or at least
one of the lateral edges 16, 18 of the blade member 11, in order to
facilitate measuring distances and alignment of the cutting device
10 with the indicia 38 formed in the container 30.
[0035] The cutting device 10 can be formed from any suitable
material, as desired. For example, the cutting device 10 can be
formed from any durable material selected to provide a cutting
edge, such as plastic and metal or combination thereof. Likewise,
the cutting device 10 can be formed from any suitable process, such
as a molding or machining process, as non-limiting examples. It
should be understood that other materials and combinations of
materials can be employed to form the cutting device 10, such as
wood and glass for the handle 12 and plastic and metal for the
blade member 11, as desired.
[0036] The container 30 can likewise be formed from any suitable
material. In certain examples, the container 30 is formed from
sheet metal by a stamping or bending processes. It should be
understood that other materials may be employed to form the
container 30 such as glass or a plastic having selected thermal
properties, for example. Additionally, it should be understood that
the interior surface of the container 30 and the outer surfaces of
the cutting device 10 can be provided with a non-stick coating such
as Teflon.RTM., for example.
[0037] In operation, a user such as a chef or baker prepares a food
such as cake, for example, by mixing the necessary ingredients,
placing the mixed ingredients in the container 30, and then baking
the ingredients in an oven. Typically, when the ingredients have
been baked, the container 30 containing the food is removed from
the oven and allowed to cool. The food is then cut into selected
sized portions for serving or storage. The cutting device 10 is
used to efficiently and accurately cut the selected sized
portions.
[0038] The cutting device 10 can also be employed for other
prepared food items such as no-bake items such as frozen desserts
or gelatin based foods, bread, pie, brownies, prepared meat dishes
such as meatloaf, layered food dishes such as lasagna or
casseroles, pizza, or any other food, as desired.
[0039] With renewed reference to FIGS. 6-7, the cutting device 10
is particularly used with a container 30 having a length greater
than the length of the cutting device 10.
[0040] To cut the food into the selected sized portions, the user
holds the handle 12 of the cutting device 10 and aligns the first
lateral edge 16 of the blade member 11 with a first indicium 38a of
a selected pair of cooperating indicia 38a, 38b formed on the upper
rim 36 of the container 30. The user then adjusts the alignment arm
20 to extend outwardly from the cutting device 10, to a distance
where the alignment arm 20 aligns with a second indicium 38b of a
selected pair of cooperating indicia 38a, 38b formed on the upper
rim 36 of the container 30. The alignment arm 20 can be adjusted to
extend from the retracted position to the extended position at a
distance substantially equal to the length of the cutting device
10. The user then forces the blade member 11 of the cutting device
10 downwardly through the food while maintaining the first lateral
edge 16 and the alignment arm 20 in alignment with the selected
pair of cooperating indicia 38a, 38b to form a first cut 40
substantially perpendicular to the sidewall 34 of the container
30.
[0041] Once the first cut 40 is formed in the food, the user then
relocates the cutting device 10 to form a second cut 42 along the
length of the container 30. The user aligns the first lateral edge
16 of the blade member 11 with a portion of the previously formed
first cut 40, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The alignment arm 20 and/or
second lateral edge 18 is aligned with the second indicium 38b of
the pair of cooperating indicia 38a, 38b formed on the upper rim 36
of the container 30. The user then forces the blade member 11 of
the cutting device 10 downwardly through the cake to form the
second cut 42.
[0042] Alternatively, prior to forming the second cut 42, the
cutting device 10 can be rotated so that the first lateral edge 16
of the blade member 11 aligns with the second indicium 38b of the
pair of cooperating indicia 38a, 38b. The alignment arm 20 can then
be adjusted to extend outwardly from the cutting device 10 to a
distance where the alignment arm 20 aligns with the first indicium
38a of a selected pair of cooperating indicia 38a, 38b formed on
the upper rim 36 of the container 30. The user then forces the
blade member 11 of the cutting device 10 downwardly through the
cake to form the second cut 42.
[0043] It should be appreciated that the second cut 42 is made
while maintaining the alignment arm 20 and/or the second lateral
edge 18 with the second indicium 38b and first lateral edge 16 in
alignment with the first cut 40 or while maintaining the first
lateral edge 16 in alignment with the second indicium 38b and the
alignment arm 20 in alignment with the first indicium 38a. The
cutting process is then repeated at selected intervals indicated by
the indicia 38, in order to cut the prepared food into selected
sized portions without having to measure and mark the food prior to
cutting.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 8, when the cutting device 10 has a cutting
edge 14 equal to opposing sides of the sidewall 34, the user holds
the handle 12 of the cutting device 10 and aligns the lateral edges
16, 18 thereof with a selected pair of cooperating indicia 38c, 38d
formed on opposing sides of the upper rim 36 of the container 30.
The user then forces the blade member 11 of the cutting device 10
downwardly through the cake, while maintaining the lateral edges
16, 18 thereof in alignment with the selected pair of cooperating
indicia 38c, 38d. This forms a cut substantially perpendicular to
the sidewall 34 of the container 30. The cutting process is
repeated at selected intervals indicated by the indicia 38, in
order to cut the prepared food into selected sized portions without
having to measure and mark the food prior to cutting.
[0045] Advantageously, the cutting device 10 and the container 30
of the present disclosure cooperate with each other to facilitate
cutting food into consistent portions of a selected size. A
substantially linear and precise cut can be made across the length
of the food, with an effortless repetitive downward motion of the
cutting device 10. The alignment arm 20 of the cutting device 10
allows cuts to be formed more quickly and with greater precision in
a container 30 having various dimensions, particularly in
comparison to employing a knife to cut along a straight edge or
using more than one cutting device 10 to accomplish the same task,
as is known in the art.
[0046] From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in
the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this
invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof,
can make various changes and modifications to the invention to
adapt it to various usages and conditions.
* * * * *